A Spanish composer from Alicante, Luis Ivars, created music to accompany a television portrayal of the Balmis expedition led by Francisco Javier Balmis in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The film project, titled 22 angels, directed by Miguel Bardem, and an accompanying soundtrack album, faced delays due to the pandemic. The composer explains that the Balmis Campaign has become a symbol tied to covid-19 responses from the Ministry of Defense. Two years later, Ivars prepared a presentation at 18:00 on a Thursday at the UMH Faculty of Medicine. The Balmis expedition album serves as a tribute to the Alicante physician who delivered the smallpox vaccine to the Americas and other Spanish colonies, with events tied to Balmis death’s bicentennial.
Combining the film’s extended score with new material, Ivars released a suite performed at ADDA, added contemporary songs, and a surprise track featuring the voice of the Alicante doctor. The album follows the composer as he moves forward in his musical journey. The pandemic reframed Balmis’s voyage as a renewed odyssey for new audiences.
The piece was recorded with the Macedonian Symphony Orchestra, a collaboration Ivars had previously engaged for the film’s soundtrack. Earlier projects such as Captain Thunder and the Holy Grail and the television series Tarancon featured a children’s choir directed by Manuel Ramos, underscoring the collaborative nature of the composer’s work.
The album’s presentation aligns with the artist’s ongoing activities. Marking the 25th anniversary of Miguel Hernández University, Ivars plans to unveil his creation alongside images below. The project includes mention of 22 angels and a symbolic delivery. The suite is dedicated to the director of the UMH Orchestra, who is set to perform at the 25th Anniversary Concert hosted at the Palau de Altea on 22 May.
Part of the project proceeds benefitting Guaguacuna, an NGO that has supported indigenous communities in the Andean Otavalo region since 1999. The nonprofit is working on a Balmis training class for people with diverse abilities, and the event will include Guaguacuna founder Aida Crespo. [Citation: Guaguacuna foundation]
“It is an honor to contribute music to Balmis’s film and to conclude this chapter now,” Ivars explains. The score weaves epic and emotional tones, reflecting the journey and its successes. Balmis’s figure embodies a long journey from simple beginnings to profound impact, a narrative the music seeks to honor. [Citation: Balmis project notes]
The composer observes that Balmis’s legacy gained renewed attention during the pandemic, though the portrait of the philanthropist has long deserved wider recognition. “He was a pioneer who crossed borders for public health.”
Luis Ivars has created numerous film scores and has been nominated for the Goya Awards on three occasions. He recently received the Miguel Hernández Award for his professional career and is known for scores for films such as Boba Lady, Captain Thunder, Sugar Times, and Tabarka, among others. He is currently composing a hymn to celebrate the centennial of Hercules, following the completion of the Berlanga documentary score by Rafael Maluenda.
Balmis Award
In a related development, the Alicante Rotary Club will announce the winner of the Balmis Award in its thirteenth edition this Friday. The award has honored figures such as Denis Mukwege, Peter Alonso, and Mary Blasco, acknowledging contributions in health, science, and humanitarian work since 2019. [Citation: Balmis Award history]